Tanto blades - form and/or function?

jprime84

jprime84

Joined
Jul 7, 2014
Messages
2,021
As of yet I don't own any tanto bladed knives. I was wondering if the tanto blade is purely an aesthetics thing, or if tanto blades were better at certain tasks than other convetional blade shapes.
 
This has been discussed many times here, but the general consensus is that tanto design knives have plenty of uses.
 
I did a search on tanto which pulled back like a quarter of the forum. However I just tried some more specific searches and you are right, the discussions are out there. Sorry!
 
jprime84 said:
I did a search on tanto which pulled back like a quarter of the forum. However I just tried some more specific searches and you are right, the discussions are out there. Sorry!
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No worries, brother. There is a LOT of information on this board, and good folks too. I see you just joined this month, welcome to the board, man!
 
I like tanto. Always have. I have a proclivity for tough, stouter knives and tanto blades are a good match.

Not only do some tanto grinds look great I find them to be strong and very functional. Emerson and Chris Reeve come to mind as two good designs. The Emerson CQC-15 offers a tanto point with a slight recurve in the horizontal blade edge, and of course the CQC's 6 and 7 are famous classics.

It's pretty easy to get into the hybrids though--the "Americanized" or "modified tanto" I tend to stay away from. I like the classic, defined, well-chiseled style.
 
The Spyderco Lum Tanto is another great looking example. Folder or fixed.

Tantos work just fine for most everyday uses.
 
jprime84 said:
As of yet I don't own any tanto bladed knives. I was wondering if the tanto blade is purely an aesthetics thing, or if tanto blades were better at certain tasks than other convetional blade shapes.
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Get one. Worst case scenario you end up with a knife you don't like. We all have 'em. Throw it in the car or something.
 
I'm not usually a tanto fan, however there are a few designs(like Emerson's) that I do like. I own a mini cqc-7 and I love the knife, it functions perfectly, so I do believe they are good for every day uses.
 
Tantos have their strengths and weaknesses, just like any other blade shape.

I love tantos and find they perform for me jus as well as my spear and drop points.

Pick one up and see what ya think. Variety is the spice of life.
 
Apparently they ARE better..........:D



ultimatetanto_zps08c4a128.jpg
 
grownstar said:
Tantos have their strengths and weaknesses, just like any other blade shape.

I love tantos and find they perform for me jus as well as my spear and drop points.

Pick one up and see what ya think. Variety is the spice of life.
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Can't put it any better, so I'll just quote it for emphasis.
 
The secondary points are great for cutting shapes out of paper, cutting things on a flat surface, and things of that nature, The tips can work as a chisel in a pinch too (I've done it).
 
When I first realized that I had an appreciation for knives, I was not keen on the tanto for what ever reason. After a couple of years I came across a tanto knife I had to have in spite of the tip. Well I was pleasantly surprised with how useful the tanto design was. I did a complete 180 and now I find myself gravitating in favor of the tanto design.
 
I am not a big fan of the tantos most commonly seen on American folding knives at all, but I highly recommend Rick Hinderer's Spanto, found on the XM-18, and numerous ZT and Kershaw knives. I think it has the best of both worlds in terms of performance/functionality.
 
pnsxyr said:
I am not a big fan of the tantos most commonly seen on American folding knives at all, but I highly recommend Rick Hinderer's Spanto, found on the XM-18, and numerous ZT and Kershaw knives. I think it has the best of both worlds in terms of performance/functionality.
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Ironically, i have to disagree (personal opinion of course). The spanto shape removes the well defined second point, which is incredibly useful on the blade, as it works so well for precision cuts (as others have mentioned).
I am a big fan of Tanto, but won't turn down other blade shapes if the overall knife is appealing..
 
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